Tourism through August gets $1.04 billion in tax revenue

Coming out of the peak summer travel season, the Hawaii Tourism Authority says visitor arrivals and spending for the year continue to surpass 2012.

HTA President and CEO Mike McCartney said that growth in August was not as robust as in previous months. However, the HTA has been successful in increasing total expenditures on the neighbor islands.

Year-to-date tourism has contributed $1.04 billion in state tax revenue, $50 million more than same period last year.

"We anticipate seeing a slowing in arrivals and expenditures as we enter the fall shoulder season," said McCartney. "We will continue to monitor the fluctuating fuel costs, strengthening of the dollar against international currencies and other economic conditions, which have been impacting visitor length of stay."

The HTA says that the tourism industry supports 170,000 statewide -- which works out to one Hawaii job for every 47 visitors.

"Our visitor industry connects the Hawaiian Islands to 50 gateway cities from around the world, and we will continue to work with our airline partners to expand direct service and frequency to the Hawaiian Islands," said McCartney. "Diversifying and increasing access from growing and emerging markets like Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Auckland and secondary U.S. cities help us to maintain and grow market share for Hawaii."

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